Staffordshire Bull Terriers are dogs with a beautiful soul, despite the wrong assumptions made about their breed. Not to be confused with the American Staffordshire Terrier, although similar, there are plenty of registered breeders and responsible breeders.
How much can you expect to pay for this breed? This guide will explain how much Staffies should cost, and it’ll inform you of the factors that make up the cost and how to look for the most responsible breeders.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 when purchasing them from a reputable breeder. It is common to see Staffies listed for a lower price when they are listed by an adoption shelter or unregistered and unethical breeders. Where possible, we do not recommend purchasing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from an unregistered or unethical breeder. They are not held to the same standards as registered breeders and will often overbreed dogs with no care for their health and wellbeing. Many unregistered breeders do not pay attention to the lineage of dogs ,too, so you might not end up with a purebred Staffie. In short, if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Purchasing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from a registered breeder usually costs between $2,000 and $5,000. The cost of these dogs varies depending on their lineage, the breeder’s reputation, and their age.
Typicall,y puppies will be the most expensive,e costing between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on their lineage and the breeder. Older Staffies do cost less, costing between $800 and $3,500, depending on the breeder and their lineage.
Adopting a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from an adoption shelter can cost between $500 and $600, depending on the location of the shelter and the dog’s age. The costs contribute towards vaccinating your dog, and microchipping them if they have not already been done.
When you adopt a Staffie from a shelter, you don’t have the guarantee that they will be a purebred, but you will have a lovable dog who deserves a second chance in a loving home. Adoption shelters do their best to match dogs to their perfect home, so you can expect to learn lots about their temperment and even have a home visit to ensure its the right space for the dog.
There are a couple of factors that could influence the cost of these dogs that are worth knowing about.
The breeder’s reputation can affect the cost of a Staffordshire, especially regarding breeding stock with the right temperament. When looking for a family pet, in particular, potential owners would benefit from asking plenty of questions to find out about the dog’s parents.
The availability of breeders in the area will also affect the cost you pay for this type of dog. Other dogs might be more or less expensive depending on what breeders are available and which ones have recently delivered a litter.
Alongside the cost of buying or adopting your Staffie, there are additional costs you need to consider before bringing a dog home. You need to ensure that you have the money to provide the essentials that your dog will need, including a crate, bed, and grooming tools. These can cost between $10 and $150 per item, depending on the size and brand you choose.
You should also consider how these costs might impact you over the years too, as your dog outgrows their bed or needs a new lead. We have broken down these costs below so you have a better idea of how much your dog will cost.
Dog crate: can cost between $30 and $200, depending on the size and brand. A medium or large crate is the best size for your Staffie.
Dog bed: can cost between $20 and $100 depending on the size and materials used. Your Staffie will tahnk you for a thick and luxurious bed they can sprawl out in.
Dog collar/lead: can cost between $10 and $150 depending on the brand and size. Leather collars sit at the top of the price range, but are very durable and an excellent option for Staffies.
Feeding bowl: costs between $10 and $50 dependign on how many you need, the brand, and if additional stands are required. A slow feeder can be a good option to prevent your Staffie from eating too quickly and expeirencing indigiestion.
Dog toothbrush: costs between $11 and $100 depending on the brand and if you choose an electric or manual toothbrush.
Dog car harness: can cost between $20 and $70 depending on the size and brand. You will want a large and durable harness to keep your athletic Staffie in place as you drive.
Puppy treats: can cost between $10 and $15 a week depending on how many treats you use.
Puppy training pads: can cost between $10 and $30 depending on how many pads are needed to toilet train your puppy. Older dogs and those from adoption shelters might not need training pads.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: can cost between $10 and $50 depending on the brand and if you need a specific shampoo for your dogs skin. Medicated shampoos can cost more and are usually avilable via a vets prescription.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: can cost between $20 and $50 depending on the brand and how many of these tools you purchase.
You must also consider the maintenance costs of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which includes vet appointments, trips to the groomers, and feeding them. The cost of these varies from $30 to $200 per item, and you need to carefully consider if you can afford these costs every month before deciding if you can bring a dog into your home.
Typically, it costs between $60 and $150 a month to feed your dog, providing your Staffie with the protein the y need to match their active lifestyle. The cost of food does vary depending on the type you choose and the brand. Quality plays a big role in the pricing of dog food too, with higher quality dog food costing more.
We have a cost breakdown of the different types of dog food and how much it costs to feed your Staffordshire Bull Terrier a day. These costs are based on feeding an adult dog weighing between 11 and 17 kg, based on their gender.
The cost of veterinary care for your Staffordshire Bull Terrier can cost between $1,800 and $3,500 depending on several factors, including the level of insurance you choose, the size of your Staffie, and how many vaccinations and parasite treatments they require. These costs only cover the essential veterinary care that you must provide your pet with and does not account for any health concerns or conditions which could develop.
The cost of vet prices does vary across Australia, so we recommend reaching out to a local vet to learn more about their prices and to see if you can afford a Staffie. We have broken down the costs you can expect to pay over each year below:
Annual vet checkups: can cost between $100 and $300 a year depending on the price of your vet and if any follow-up appointments or meidcations are needed.
Vaccinations: can cost between $50 and $200 depending on the price of your vets and the dosage for your dog. Dosages are determined by weight, so the mroe your Staffie weighs, the more you are likely to pay.
Worming and parasite protection: can cost between $50 and $200 a year dependig on the price of the treatment and how often they need to be administered. Again, the dosage is calculated based on your dog’s weight.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): can cost between $200 and $1,000 depending on the level of cleaning required and if your dog needs to be sedated for the treatment.
Pet insurance: can cost between $1,400 and $1,800 depending on the level of cover you choose, the age of your Staffie, and if they have any existing health conditions that need to be covered.
Som owners opt to groom their Staffordshire Bull Terrier at home, allowing them to save money. However, it can be a struggle for some owners, especially as a Staffie can be quite strong. In these instances, we recommend enlisting the help of a professional groomer. They will have a better understanding of your dog’s coat and can provide them with a groom that keeps them healthy and happy. We have outlined the average costs of grooming a Staffie below:
Hydrobaths: $25 to $45
Full groom prices: $60 to $90
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $45 to $60
We recommend that all owners invest in some training classes for their Staffie, ensuring that they can safely handle them in public. These athletic dogs are big softies, but its important that you are able to control them. The coat for training varies from $50 to $250 depending on the type of sessions you choose and how much support your dog requires. We have outlined the average cost of training below:
Basic obedience training prices: $50 to $250
Puppy training class prices: $30 to $230
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $50 to $250
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier costs more to maintain and care for than their initial purchase fee. To ensure that you provide the best possible life for them, we recommend considering your budget carefully before bringing home a dog. Remember they are for life, not just a few months.
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